Can You Get Invisalign If You Have Crowns?

If you have crooked teeth, you have likely heard of Invisalign, the latest craze sweeping through the dental world. These clear plastic aligners slip on over your teeth to shift them into a straighter, more desirable position. Perhaps you’re thinking of getting Invisalign in Fresno, but you’re worried the treatment won’t work because you have dental crowns on a few of your teeth. Can you still undergo Invisalign treatment anyway? Continue reading to find out!

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crowns, sometimes also referred to as “caps,” are tooth-shaped coverings that are bonded over a tooth. They are most commonly used to restore or protect a fractured or decayed tooth from further damage. Sometimes a crown can even be placed over a tooth to improve it cosmetically. More often than not, though, they serve a primarily restorative purpose.

Can You Get Invisalign If You Have Crowns?

Luckily, teeth that have been protected with dental crowns are usually not a factor in Invisalign treatment. As a result, they can typically be guided into a new position. However, your dentist may take extra precautions when dealing with a crowned tooth during Invisalign treatment. For example, they might elect to tweak your treatment plan so that your crowned tooth is moved a little more gradually than the rest of your pearly whites.

Sometimes, the location of a crowned tooth might be a factor during the course of Invisalign treatment. Patients might need attachments, which are tiny tooth-colored clasps that are bonded to the teeth for the duration of Invisalign treatment. They help provide a more focused guidance. Bonding an attachment to a crowned tooth might be more difficult than a natural tooth. Your dentist will have to make the final call.

Should You Get Crowns Before or After Invisalign?

The answer to this question is ultimately up to your dentist. If you’re thinking of getting a dental crown because your tooth is a little chipped, asymmetrical, or discolored, it might be easier to just wait until Invisalign treatment is over. In other words, cosmetic enhancements can generally wait. However, if you need a crown because your tooth is severely decayed, or you have an infection that necessitates a root canal, you should definitely get the crown first.

When it comes to making over your smile, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every patient is different and has different needs when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. When in doubt, it’s best to ask your dentist about the best solution for your smile.

About the Author

Dr. Byron Reintjes is a dentist in Fresno who is a certified Invisalign provider. He has been helping his patients smile brighter for almost three decades now! He has undergone extensive training in both orthodontics and restorative dentistry so that he can provide Invisalign treatment as well as dental crowns. To learn more, visit his website.